Visiting the lavender fields near London has become a summer tradition for us and one of our favorite day trips. The views from the lavender farms are stunning, the aroma is absolutely amazing, you can buy fresh lavender to bring home and you have the opportunity to take some fantastic photos.
Remember that some lavender farms will require advance booking to help manage numbers, so check their website before visiting. The rules are also slightly different, for example you can choose to bring lavender or a picnic. In this post, I’ll share the best lavender fields near London, along with details and tips for visiting in the summer season of 2023.
When to visit lavender fields near London
England’s lavender fields usually post seasonal updates on their websites to help you plan your visit. Lavender flowers typically bloom from mid-June to late August and mid-to-late August depending on the weather.
Lavender farms near London start harvesting in August, so always check first if you’re visiting late in the season.
Mayfield Lavender Farm
2023 update. Mayfield Lavender Farm will be open from June 10 to August 31, 2023
The closest lavender field to London is Mayfield, a 25-acre lavender farm with cafe and shop located in Banstead (Woodminster), Surrey, approximately 15 miles from Central London.
Mayfield Lavender Farm is located on the original site of Victorian lavender in the North Surrey Downs and was established in 2006 to help revive the area’s historic lavender industry, which flourished in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Hint. Buy lavender bunches from the store before heading to the lavender fields to take photos
Mayfield Lavender Farm will be open from June 10 to August 31, 2023. Mayfield Lavender Farm is a popular destination and gets very busy at weekends, especially during peak season.
I highly recommend visiting during the week and either first thing in the morning or late afternoon. It will be much quieter than mid-day, parking will be easier to find, and both times of the day are ideal for photography.
Mayfield Lavender Farm has tractor tours all day starting at 10.30am. Tractor rides cost £2.50 per person (kids are free) and last between 15 and 20 minutes.
Food and drink
Picnics are not permitted at Mayfield Lavender Farm. There is a cafe that serves hot food, sandwiches and ice cream (including lavender flavor) and picnic tables in the indoor area. Lavender Cream Tea is available in July and August.
Address of Mayfield Lavender Farm
Use the postcode SM7 3JA to plan your journey by car. If you are traveling by public transport, the fastest way to get to Mayfield Lavender Farm from London is to take the train from London Victoria to Sutton or Cheam and take a taxi/minica to the farm. Another popular option is to take the train from London Victoria to Croydon West and then take the 166 bus to the farm gate.
Address: 1 Carshalton Rd, Banstead SM7 3JA
Tickets. There is no need to reserve a ticket in advance. Entry is £5 per person. Admission for children under 14 is FREE.
Opening hours: 7 days a week from 9am to 6pm (Last entry for cars: 5.45pm)
Dog Friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed at Mayfield Lavender Farm and must be on a lead at all times.
Website: https://www.mayfieldlavender.com/mayfield-lavender-farm/
Castle Farm Lavender Fields
2023 update. Entry to Castle Farm Lavender Fields is only possible with a pre-booked ticket. Tickets will go on sale in mid-June.
Castle Farm Lavender Fields is a 300 acre lavender farm, the largest in the UK, located just over an hour from Central London in the stunning countryside of Sevenoaks, Kent. In total, Castle Farm is a working farm of 1,100 acres that also includes crops of wheat, barley, rapeseed, hops, apples and pumpkins, as well as grass-fed beef.
At Castle Farm, lavender begins to flower in late June and the oil is harvested in late July. Experiences to visit the lavender fields will be available in June and July and will include the Lavender Walk and BYO Lavender Picnic, which must be pre-booked on their website.
You can book the Lavender Walk for a 45-minute stroll through their most famous lavender field, enjoying the views of the valley and taking photos next to a picturesque bench surrounded by lavender. BYO Lavender Picnic will be available throughout July. Bring your own picnic and enjoy two hours in their Ladybird Lavender field with over 60,000 lavender plants.
Food and drink
Picnics are only permitted when booking the BYO Lavender Picnic experience, which will be available throughout July in allocated fields. On site is the Farm Shop, offering local farm produce, spring decorations and a variety of lavender gifts. The nearest cafe and toilet is at the nearby Lullingstone Country Park Visitor Center on Redmans Lane.
Visiting in June and July you will find a food stall serving cold drinks, ice creams and a limited selection of snacks on the Darent Valley Walk behind Castle Farm.
Castle Farm Address:
Access to the Hop Shop at Castle Farm is a private drive just off the A225, halfway between the villages of Shoreham and Eynsford, or via Redmans Lane. The TN14 7UB postcode may be incorrect, so it is recommended to use this link. Google Maps. If traveling by train, the nearest stations are Eynsford and Shoreham, both within 1.5 miles of the farm (note that there are no taxi ranks at these stations, the nearest taxi stations are at Swanley, Sevenoaks or Orpington).
Address: Redmans Lane, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7UB
Tickets. Tickets will go on sale in mid-June. The website for booking tickets is https://www.castlefarmkent.co.uk/pages/this-season-at-castle-farm
Lavender tour prices start at £12 per adult, £6 per child £3+. Lavender Party prices (weekdays) are £12 per adult, £6 per child 3+ and (weekends) £14 per adult, £7 per child. Ticket prices for the Lavender Field Walk start from £4 per adult, and £2.50 per child 3+. Tickets are free for children under 2 years old.
Opening hours: Only the Castle Farm Shop is currently open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sundays 10am to 5pm. (I will update this when the lavender fields open)
Dog Friendly? Dogs are welcome on Lavender Field Walk events, but are not allowed on lavender guided tours or Lavender picnics.
Website: https://www.castlefarmkent.co.uk/
Hichen lavender fields
2023 update. Hitchen Lavender will be open from 17 June 2023. Reservations are not required but recommended as it is cheaper than at the gate.
Another popular lavender field to visit is the 30-acre Hitchie Lavender Field, located in the village of Ickleford, Hertfordshire, north of London. The flowering period is from late June to mid-August, with the main part of the field blooming in mid-July.
There is a beautiful display area, at its best in late June to mid-July, where you can see over 60 different varieties of lavender. Hitchin Lavender’s barn, playground, cafe and museum are free.
Hitchin Lavender is also a beautiful place to visit for the sunflower fields that bloom in August.
Food and drink
You are allowed to bring a picnic to Hitchin Lavender and use the picnic tables in their main field. There is a tea room, which is an open-air undercover service, as well as an outfield kiosk offering alfresco refreshments.
Hitchin Lavender Address:
Hitchin Lavender is located 2 miles north of Hitchin in the village of Ickleford. If traveling by train from London, take King’s Cross to Hitchin Station (service to Peterborough), then take a taxi or Uber.
Address: Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3UA
Tickets. £6.50 (early bird). Free for ages 4 and under.
Opening hours: From 9 to 20
Dog Friendly? Dogs are welcome on site as long as they are kept on a lead and any dog ​​waste is cleaned up by their owners.
Website: https://www.hitchinlavender.com/
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This post was updated on 22 May 2023 with the latest information on visiting lavender fields near London this summer season.